Woman pleads to fatal crash charges

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Middle Point woman faces nearly 20 years in prison on charges related to a fatal traffic accident that occurred in August.

Lisa A. Hundley, 32, entered not guilty pleas to grand jury indictments charging her with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one a first-degree felony and the other a second-degree felony offense, and first-degree misdemeanor count of child endangering. The first-degree felony offense includes a prison term of up to 11 years, while the second-degree felony carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison. First-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of six months in jail. Hundley also faces a lifetime driver’s license suspension, if convicted.

Hundley was indicted after a month-long investigation into a traffic accident that occurred August 5 at the intersection of Chenoweth Road and Lincoln Highway. Killed in the accident was Geneva Lambert, 90, also of Middle Point, whose vehicle was hit by a 2003 Dodge Dakota driven by Hundley.

According to investigators, Hundley had been “huffing” from a can of compressed air immediately prior to the crash. Witnesses said the woman passed out before the accident occurred and her vehicle went out of control before smashing into the Lambert vehicle.

Hundley was also found to be driving while under a license suspension.

Magistrate Joe Quatman accepted her not guilty plea and released her on a personal surety bond, with the condition that she not drive while the case is pending. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 26.

A total of 12 other people were arraigned on Wednesday. They include:

Scott Brinkman, 24, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to one count each of trespassing in a habitation, a fourth-degree felony, and breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree. A $100,000 bond, with 10 percent to be paid in cash, was continued from Van Wert Municipal Court. A pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 19.

Zachary Craig, 33, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a third-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and placed on electronically monitored house arrest, with the added condition that he not come within 100 yards of the alleged victim or her residence. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. September 19.

Carl Buckner, 67, of Ohio City, pleaded not guilty to a charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana, a second-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference was set for 8 a.m. September 26.

Theodore King, 27, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 26.

Zachary Brooks, 19, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of safecracking, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 26.

Kyle Bourelle, 29, of Celina, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of abusing harmful intoxicants, a fifth-degree felony offense. He was ordered held until he posts a $5,000 cash bond. A pretrial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. September 19.

Jordan Black, 24, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment that includes one count each of possession of heroin and complicity in possession of drugs, and two counts of possession of drugs. All are fifth-degree felony offenses. Black was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 19.

Landon Grayless, 30, of Fort Wayne, Ind., entered a not guilty plea to a charge of possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. September 26.

Joe Quevedo, 47, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. September 26.

Jeremy Kent, 29, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of harassment by bodily substances, a felony of the third degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and placed on electronically monitored house arrest. He will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 26.

Calvin Placke, 18, of Middle Point, pleaded not guilty to three counts of breaking and entering, all fifth-degree felonies, and one count of criminal damaging, a second-degree misdemeanor. He was released on a surety bond and a pretrial conference set for 8 a.m. September 26.

Alisha Stemen, 20, of Van Wert, entered a plea of not guilty to one count each of possession of heroin and complicity to possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felony offenses. She was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. September 26.

Two people will remain in jail following bond violation hearings held Wednesday in Common Pleas Court.

Jared Garwood, 28, of Van Wert, was arrested on a bond violation alleging he violated criminal laws during a period from August 20-29. He denied the allegations and was ordered held in jail until he posts a $10,000 bond. A hearing will be scheduled for next week on the bond violation allegations.

Nathaniel Diltz, 29, of Delphos admitted to violating his bond requirements and was ordered held in jail until a sentencing hearing scheduled for September 19.